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Cell cycle

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3 views

Cell cycle

Uploaded by

ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cell cycle

"The cell undergoes a sequence of changes, which involves period of growth, DNA
replication followed by cell division. This sequence of changes is called cell cycle.
In human cells, the average cell cycle is of about 24 hours."

The cell cycle involves two phases.


• Interphase
• Mitosis

Interphase

“The period of cell cycle between the end of one cell division and start of next
division”
It is the longest phase of cell cycle during which cell prepare itself for cell division
by undergoing cell growth and DNA replication. It typically occupies about 90% of
total cell cycle.
Somatic cells, or normal diploid cells of the body, go through mitosis in order to
reproduce themselves through cell division, whereas diploid germ cells (i.e.,
primary spermatocytes and primary oocytes) go through meiosis in order to create
haploid gametes (i.e., sperm and ova) for the purpose of sexual reproduction.
Interphase is further divided into three stages.
• G1- phase
• S- phase
• G2- phase

G1 – Phase / Gap phase


It is the period of extensive metabolic activity which takes place from few hours to
several days. In human cells, its duration is 9 hours. During this phase, following
major events take place.
• The cell grows in size (to about double its original size)
• More organelles are produced, increasing the volume of the
• cytoplasm
• DNA base units are accumulated for DNA synthesis
• RNA, ribosomes and several enzymes are synthesized

S - phase / Synthesis phase


During S – phase
• DNA is synthesized / replicated. During this time the amount of DNA per
cell doubles. If the initial amount of DNA is denoted as 2C then it increases
to 4C
• Each chromosome repliacte to form two sister chromatids held at
centromere.
• Synthesis of proteins and enzymes takes place that are involved in DNA
replication
• The cell continuous to grow during S – phase
In human cells, its duration is 10 hours.

G2 – phase (pre-mitotic phase)


During this phase
• Cell prepare itself for cell division
• Energy is stored for chromosomal movements
• Mitotic specific protein, RNA and microtubule subunits are synthesized
• Centrioles replicate

In human cells, its duration is 4.5 hours.

Cell cycle exit and GO


Some types of cells divide rapidly, and in these cases, the daughter cells may
immediately undergo another round of cell division. For instance, many cell types
in an early embryo divide rapidly, and so do cells in a tumor.
Other types of cells divide slowly or not at all. These cells may exit the G1
phase and enter a resting state called GO. In GO, a cell is not actively preparing to
divide, it’s just doing its job. For instance, it might conduct signals as a neuron
(like the one in the drawing below) or store carbohydrates as a liver cell. GO is a
permanent state for some cells, while others may re-start division if they get the
right signals.

Mitosis
"Mitosis is a type of cell division in which one cell (the mother) divides to produce
two new cells (the daughters) that are genetically identical to itself. Daughter cells
have same number of chromosomes as parent cell."

Phases of mitosis
Mitosis consists of four basic phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and
telophase

1. Prophase
Prophase is the first step of mitosis.
This is when the genetic fibers within the cell’s nucleus, known as chromatin,
begin to condense and become tightly compacted together.
During interphase, the parent cell’s chromosomes are replicated, but they aren’t yet
visible. They’re just floating around in the form of loosely collected chromatin.
During prophase, that loose chromatin condenses and forms into visible, individual
chromosomes.
Since each of the parent cell’s chromosomes were replicated during interphase,
there are two copies of each chromosome in the cell during prophase. Once the
chromatin has condensed into individual chromosomes, the genetically-identical
chromosomes come together to form an “X” shape, called sister chromatids.
These sister chromatids carry identical DNA and are joined at the center (in the
middle of the “X” shape) at a point called the centromere. The centromeres will
serve as anchors that’ll be used to pull the sister chromatids apart during a later
phase of mitosis.
After the sister chromatids form, two structures called centrosomes move away
from each other outside of the nucleus. As they move to opposite sides of the cell,
the centrosomes form mitotic spindle. The mitotic spindle will eventually be
responsible for separating the identical sister chromatids into two new cells and is
made up of long protein strands, called microtubules.
Late Prophase: Prometaphase

Prometaphase is the phase of mitosis following prophase and preceding metaphase.


The short version of what happens during prometaphase is that the nuclear
membrane breaks down.
Once the nuclear envelope breaks apart, the sister chromatids that were stuck
inside the nucleus break free.
The mitotic spindle grows more, and some of the microtubules start to “capture”
chromosomes.
Microtubules can bind to chromosomes at the kinetochore, a patch of protein
found on the centromere of each sister chromatid.
Microtubules that bind a chromosome are called kinetochore microtubules.

2. Metaphase

Metaphase is the phase of mitosis that follows prophase and prometaphase and
precedes anaphase.
the spindle has captured all the chromosomes and lined them up at the middle of
the cell, ready to divide.This imaginary line dividing the cell down the middle is
called the metaphase plate or equatorial plane.
Before proceeding to anaphase, the cell will check to make sure that all the
chromosomes are at the metaphase plate with their kinetochores correctly attached
to microtubules. This is called the spindle checkpoint and helps ensure that the
sister chromatids will split evenly between the two daughter cells when they
separate in the next step. If a chromosome is not properly aligned or attached, the
cell will halt division until the problem is fixed.
3. Anaphase
In anaphase, the sister chromatids separate from each other and are pulled
towards opposite ends of the cell.
Microtubules not attached to chromosomes elongate and push apart, separating the
poles and making the cell longer.

4. Telophase
Telophase is the last phase of mitosis. Telophase is when the newly separated
daughter chromosomes get their own individual nuclear membranes and
identical sets of chromosomes.
The mitotic spindle is broken down.
Two new nuclei form, one for each set of chromosomes. Nuclear membranes and
nucleoli reappear.
The chromosomes begin to decondense and return to their “stringy” form.

Cytokinesis: What Happens After Mitosis


Like interphase, cytokinesis isn’t a part of mitosis, but it’s definitely an important
part of the cell cycle that is essential to completing cell division. Sometimes, the
occurrence of the events of cytokinesis overlaps with telophase and even anaphase,
but cytokinesis is still considered a separate process from mitosis.
Cytokinesis is the actual division of the cell membrane into two discrete cells. At
the end of mitosis, there are two new nuclei contained within the existing parent
cell, which has stretched out into an oblong shape. So at this point, there’s actually
two complete nuclei hanging out in one cell!
Cytokinesis is responsible for completing the process of cell division by taking
those new nuclei, separating the old cell in half, and ensuring that each of the new
daughter cells contains one of the new nuclei.
Once the contractile ring forms down the middle of the cell, it starts shrinking,
which pulls the cell’s outer plasma membrane inward. Eventually, the contractile
ring shrinks so much that the plasma membrane pinches off and the separated
nuclei are able to form into their own cells.
The end of cytokinesis signifies the end of the M-phase of the cell cycle, of which
mitosis is also a part. At the end of cytokinesis, the division part of the cell cycle
has officially ended.

When cytokinesis finishes, we end up with two new cells, each with a complete set
of chromosomes identical to those of the mother cell. The daughter cells can now
begin their own cellular “lives,” and – depending on what they decide to be when
they grow up – may undergo mitosis themselves, repeating the cycle.

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